What Leeds's New Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Means for the Leeds Rhinos Legend's Legacy
The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) has opened in Seacroft as the first purpose-built facility dedicated entirely to MND care, research, education and holistic support
Pontefract-born scrum-half Rob Burrow became an inspiration for those living with Motor Neurone Disease after he was diagnosed with the condition himself in 2019. The sportsman spent his entire professional career with the Leeds Rhinos, with nearly 500 appearances, and was known for many years as ‘the smallest player in Super League’. He was also one of its most successful players, winning eight Super League championships.
Motor Neurone Disease affects the nerves known as motor neurones which are found in the brain and spinal cord and help tell your muscles what to do. Messages from the motor neurones gradually stop reaching the muscles which can lead the muscles to weaken, stiffen and waste, which can affect how you walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe. Not all symptoms will affect everyone and MND affects all patients differently, but MND is life-shortening and there is no cure.
Following his diagnosis, Rob made it his mission to raise awareness for MND with his friend and former Leeds Rhino's teammate Kevin Sinfield – both were awarded CBEs in 2024 thanks to their unbelievable efforts. When Living North interviewed Rob in 2021 he shared his gratitude for Kevin’s efforts, saying, ‘it means so much to my family and myself in terms of how much we need to thank Kevin; his efforts have inspired so many others to arrange fundraising initiatives – and so many other kind people have rallied to support me and my family. I am truly humbled, but I only hope that Kevin and everyone else know and appreciate that I would do the same for all of them if circumstances were different’. Rob himself became an inspiration for fundraisers, and told us ‘I want other MND sufferers and their families to come to the forefront and join our journey to fund research’. Rob sadly died in June 2024, aged 41, and Kevin continues to fundraise in his memory.
In 2021, an appeal was launched for The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease. ‘Rob was determined to create a place that treats patients as people, not simply as a condition,’ says Paul Watkins, the Director of Fundraising for Leeds Hospitals Charity. ‘Rob’s vision was for the centre to be designed with patients and families at its heart – providing a calm, welcoming, and fully accessible environment.
‘The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease was born out of the collective vision of Rob Burrow and his Consultant Dr. Agam Jung. Existing facilities were outdated and failing to meet the needs of patients with Motor Neurone Disease. So, when Dr. Jung approached Leeds Hospitals Charity asking for help to refurbish elements of the ward where patients were treated, the question was posed “is this all that you need?” and in the words of Rob, Agam “dared to dream” and she dreamed big.
The Rob Burrow Centre for MND opened its doors on 3rd November 2025. Paul says it represents a collaboration of the Leeds Hospitals Charity, Leeds Teaching NHS Trust, ‘but perhaps more importantly an entire community that came together and rallied behind Rob and his family to realise a vision’.
The centre at Seacroft Hospital follows a £6.8 million campaign led by Leeds Hospitals Charity which has been supported by Leeds Rhinos, Kevin Sinfield and the community across Leeds. Kevin has raised more than £10 million for MND-related causes since Rob's diagnosis.
What makes the centre so special is that it is the first purpose-built facility in the country that has incorporated the views and needs of patients with MND. The goal is to work with patients, clinical staff and architects to deliver care and facilities now, but also to future proof the building so it can develop its services.
‘The complex nature of the disease means that before the development of the centre, patients would have to move between clinics often located on different hospital sites,’ explains Paul. ‘For those with limited mobility this posed a significant challenge. The centre is designed to be a “one stop shop” where patients can access all of the care, support and treatment they need under one roof. It provides a haven where patients and their families are welcome to come and speak to staff about challenges. It’s complete with a family room, dedicated quiet room, a communal kitchen area, and a therapeutic garden.
‘Dr. Jung speaks of “living in the now”. The space is bright and airy with views to the gardens, it has a calming colour palette, all of this is designed to help create a peaceful, non-clinical environment like a home from home. The architects described the experience of entering the building as giving you a hug when you arrive.’
Beyond the building, the team want to create a service worthy of the name above its door. ‘Through donations to the centre, we have been able to fund new research into earlier diagnosis of the condition to enable patients to be able to enter trials at the earliest possible opportunity,’ explains Paul. ‘In addition to this we want the centre to be a beacon of hope, and a centre of excellence for the care it provides, including holistic care to the families of those living with MND.’
Rob’s family have been with the team on the entire journey, from the announcement that Leeds Hospitals Charity would undertake the appeal in 2021, to the ground-breaking ceremony which, following his wishes, took place the very day after Rob died in 2024. ‘So, to see their joy, and tears of happiness when they arrived to see the completed centre was truly special,’ says Paul. ‘Geoff, Rob’s dad described it as one of the happiest days of his life. No greater endorsement could have been made.
‘One thing I am certain of is it would have brought one of Rob’s incredible smiles to his face. A word I heard the entire family say time and time again was how proud they were. They have showed incredible strength throughout this journey, and I have no doubt that Rob would have been proud of what he helped create for others. The great sadness is him not being there to share such a joyous day.’
Paul hopes the centre continues to act as a beacon of hope and perhaps inspires others like it to open. ‘This is a disease Rob, Kevin Sinfield, Doddie Weir, Stephen Darby, and now sadly Lewis Moody have helped bring to the fore of people’s consciousness,’ he adds. ‘I hope the centre continues to inspire the love and support that was demonstrated by the MND community and beyond throughout the efforts to raise the £6.8 million we needed. It created special memories for so many.
‘Sadly, we lost friends to the disease along the way, and my hope is one day a cure is found. Until such time as a cure is discovered, I hope the centre will drive forward the care and importantly it helps keep Rob’s inspiring message alive: "In a world full of adversity, we must still dare to dream" and to not waste a moment because "every single day is precious”.’
